Naruto: What Kind of Starter Pack is 13 Years Late?

Kakashi, who now dared not read his book for fear of getting it wet, walked beside Takemi and spoke, "Moreover, throughout the entire Ninja World, it's probably difficult to find any truly peaceful places outside of the Five Great Nations."

Takemi nodded.

In fact, he had understood these things before he had transmigrated, as the Great Ninja Wars always started in these smaller countries.

Konoha fought Iwagakure in the Land of Grass, Kirigakure in the Land of Whirlpools, and Kumogakure in the Land of Hot Water.

Of course, by then, the entire Ninja World was in chaos, and all the smaller countries suffered.

The Land of Rain was somewhat of an exception, as it had Amegakure and Hanzo, but the geographical environment and location of the Land of Rain had already limited its potential.

A war between Amegakure and Konoha triggered the Second Great Ninja War.

Success meant expanding territory and gaining opportunities for development, while failure was even worse than being set back to square one.

Clearly, the Land of Rain was the second kind...

"Alright, we're here."

As he spoke, Jiraiya had already led them to an abandoned wooden house. Looking at everything before him, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel emotional.

"I can't believe it's been so many years, it feels like it was just yesterday. Things have really changed."

Takemi said, "Jiraiya-sama, here you go."

Takemi walked up from behind and handed over the flowers sealed in the scroll. Jiraiya looked at the scene, a little stunned.

"You're..."

"I remembered something you said, so I prepared it for you before we left." Takemi smiled indifferently.

"Since we're paying respects, it's only natural to prepare. It wouldn't be very good to come empty-handed, would it?"

"You brat..."

Jiraiya rubbed his face. He suddenly looked up at the sky, letting the rain wet his face, then lowered his head and shook it.

"Seriously, why go to all this trouble? But thanks, Takemi."

Gently placing the flowers in front of the door, Jiraiya silently watched everything.

After a while, he turned around and said, "Alright, let's go."

"Not stay a little longer?" Kakashi asked softly.

Jiraiya shook his head and said, "No, we can come back another time if there's a chance. We have a more important mission to do."

"Alright."

Kakashi no longer tried to persuade him. Indeed, their time was quite tight.

After they left the abandoned hut, the atmosphere was still somewhat heavy. The three of them walked silently without speaking.

"Kid."

Perhaps disliking the heavy atmosphere, Jiraiya suddenly patted Takemi on the shoulder and chuckled.

"I'll treat you to something good to eat when we get back to Konoha."

"Just something good to eat?"

Takemi looked disdainful, which made Jiraiya raise an eyebrow.

"Tell me what you want, as long as it's not too excessive."

"Really?"

Takemi tilted his head.

He probably understood Jiraiya's meaning, so he simply smiled and said, "That's great! I've been to the Land of Hot Water twice, but I've never experienced the hot springs there. Will you take me next time?"

Kakashi said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, what are you talking about?!"

Kakashi, who had been thinking about the old days in the Land of Grass due to the earlier memorial, instantly couldn't hold back.

Guy might not know much about those hot springs in the Land of Hot Water, but he certainly did.

"The Land of Hot Water, huh?"

However, Jiraiya rubbed his chin in thought, then said something that completely stunned Kakashi, "Sure, but you'll have to use the Transformation Technique well, otherwise I can't help you."

"Really?!"

"Of course, really!"

"You two, will you please stop?!"

In the rain, the heavy atmosphere seemed to dissipate. The three of them returned to their playful, laughing, and chatting mood, disappearing into the downpour.

The rain continued to drizzle. After an unknown amount of time, carried by the gentle breeze, the chrysanthemums that had been placed in front of the abandoned wooden house gradually rippled.

But just as the breeze was about to blow their petals off, a blue-haired figure suddenly blocked the wind.

She stood quietly in front of the house, staring blankly at the bouquet of flowers on the ground.

— — —

"Hey, Black, we've already found traces of those Konoha people."

At the border of the Land of Earth, Black Zetsu had been silently waiting.

Fortunately, his White Zetsu half-face spoke up at this moment, "They've already passed through the Land of Rain and are almost at the Iwagakure border."

"Land of Rain?"

Black Zetsu was startled, but quickly calmed down.

This group of people probably just chose this route and didn't know the true secret of the Land of Rain.

As long as they didn't force their way into Amegakure, Nagato wasn't Obito. He probably wouldn't bother with them even if he discovered them.

Now was not the time...

"I see. Who's there? Is that kid with them?"

"Yes." White Zetsu nodded.

"Besides that kid, there's also Kakashi, and Jiraiya, the same setup as last time in Kirigakure."

Kirigakure...

At the mention of Kirigakure, Black Zetsu couldn't help but compare Nagato and Obito again.

Both controlled a village. One could stabilize a village, while the other managed to ruin a large village?

Every time he thought about it, he felt depressed.

"Alright, I know. Have Sasori, Itachi, and Kisame met up?" Sighing inwardly, Black Zetsu asked in a low voice.

"They've already met up."

White Zetsu had no idea what Black Zetsu was thinking.

He continued to speak cheerfully, "But Kisame and Itachi don't seem to be getting along very well. Both of them were talking about killing their comrades and family, and they almost came to blows."

"Hmm."

Black Zetsu nodded indifferently.

Both of them were Obito's pawns, and for whatever reason, they were the ones who killed their own people most fiercely.

It was fitting for them to be together. As for how they got along, he didn't care at all, as long as they didn't kill each other.

White Zetsu said, "As for Sasori, he doesn't seem to have much reaction, just like that. I've already arranged for them to meet Konoha as much as possible, as you requested."

"That's good."

Black Zetsu was finally somewhat satisfied. Although White Zetsu was foolish and seemed to have some mental issues, he was ultimately competent when it came to getting things done.

This was probably White Zetsu's value, besides being used as body parts...

"But speaking of which, aren't you going to tell Obito?" White Zetsu blinked, his face full of confusion.

"It doesn't seem right not to tell him anything, does it?"

"If I tell you not to say anything, then don't say anything. He doesn't need to know." Black Zetsu immediately shook his head.

Although he still had to play the role of Madara's 'will' and obey Obito's commands, that didn't mean he had to report everything he did to Obito.

Especially since this matter was of great importance. Even though he already had some self-justifying explanations, he still wanted to observe carefully before saying anything.

This was a perfect opportunity, and it would be a shame not to seize it.

The reason Root got the information so quickly was because he had White Zetsu deliver it. It was him!

"Anyway, just listen to me, you can't go wrong. This is for everyone's good, understand?"

"Oh..."

White Zetsu nodded, half-understanding. Since Black Zetsu told him not to say it, he wouldn't.

White Zetsu said, "Alright, well, Obito is currently counting the things I stole for him, but speaking of which, there's something else I'm curious about."

Black Zetsu asked, "What?"

White Zetsu asked, "What are the hot springs in the Land of Hot Water? That Takemi seems to be really looking forward to them, huh?"

"...Can you please stop talking?"

"Oh, then Hidan asked who the last-place was, do you know?"

"..."

Black Zetsu was starting to lose it. He really wanted to strangle this half of his body right now.

After a moment of silence, before White Zetsu could speak, he said in a low voice, "I'll tell you, can you be quiet?"

"Mmm, mmm, mmm."

White Zetsu immediately blinked, indicating his agreement.

Black Zetsu then sighed with relief and spoke faintly, "If I'm not mistaken, it's that Obito!"

"Eh?"

White Zetsu's eyes widened.

After a while, he spoke in disbelief, "So he really is an idiot just like me, huh!"

"..."

So, you have a very clear understanding of yourself, don't you?

Meanwhile, Takemi and the others had already reached a village on the border of the Land of Earth.

(End of Chapter)

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